Seventeen Grade 7 learners from Bongimfundo School recently traded the classroom for the African bush, visiting Bonamanzi Reserve in Zululand as part of an environmental education initiative by the Kingsley Holgate Foundation and The Litterboom Project (TLP).
The visit rewarded learners who won a wildlife conservation art competition organised by the Kingsley Holgate Foundation. Their prize offered an opportunity to encounter a rhino, the animal at the centre of their winning artwork, and learn more about the importance of protecting South Africa’s wildlife.
The Litterboom Project was invited to join the experience through the mentorship component of its Defender Award, bringing the conversation from wildlife conservation to the impact of plastic pollution on rivers and the wider environment.
TLP’s KwaZulu-Natal Area Manager, Rudi Clark, and Product Assistant, Nelson Dumakude, engaged the learners on the environmental damage caused by plastic. They discussed the importance of reducing plastic use, recycling and disposing of waste responsibly.
The learners then put their knowledge into practice by creating artwork illustrating what belongs — and what does not belong — in a river.
Clark praised the learners for their enthusiasm and understanding of conservation. “I was amazed at how wonderful this weekend was. The Bongimfundo learners were well mannered, participated brilliantly and were very knowledgeable about conservation and the environment. They were excellent ambassadors for their school,” he said.
Clark also congratulated Mr Vishnu and the school’s staff for their work with the learners, thanking Kingsley Holgate, Sheelagh Holgate and their team for making the experience possible.
Kingsley Holgate said the visit was an important next step for the young artists, giving them the opportunity to experience wildlife conservation first-hand and share what they had learnt with others.
Holgate said: “The children that were here were the art winners at their school and this was the next step to get them to experience it all, and go back to Bongimfundo as ambassadors for our environment and for our wildlife. Well done Bongimfundo, well done The Litterboom Project. It’s been a great pleasure working with you.”
The initiative reflects the connection between TLP’s river-cleaning work and the need for greater environmental awareness. While litter booms and clean-ups remove waste that has already entered waterways, education can help prevent plastic from reaching rivers in the first place.
For the learners, the experience brought these issues into focus: The rhino they depicted in their artwork, the river near their school and the everyday decisions people make about plastic waste are all part of a shared environmental responsibility.
The weekend also coincided with the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, a Tusk fundraising event sponsored by Defender. All 17 learners took part in the run alongside Dumakude, adding a physical challenge to their conservation experience.
The partnership extends beyond the visit to Bonamanzi Reserve. Earlier in the year, the Kingsley Holgate Foundation visited the TLP team stationed near the uMgeni River mouth as part of its ongoing mentorship.
By combining wildlife experiences, practical environmental education and mentorship, the partnership aims to equip young people with the knowledge to become advocates for conservation in their schools and communities.
